Abstract

We analyze the resolution properties of nonlinear optical microscopy systems that use nonlinear optical effects, such as multiphoton-excited fluorescence, second- and third-harmonic generation, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, and stimulated-emission depletion. Image formation formulas are presented that unitedly describe the properties of the image observed, wherein coherent, incoherent, or mixed-coherent phenomena are utilized. We develop the formalism for the optical resolution of all types of nonlinear systems. The properties of image formation represented by the transmission cross-coefficient are different depending on the type of nonlinear systems.

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